Aeroplane.



W. L. MARR.

AEROPLANE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 2,1910.

1,053,619, Patented Feb. 18, 1913.

2 SKBETB-BHIIET 1.

a 7%dA7 Mmm Y 1 g h M WALTER L. MARE, OF FLINT, MICHIGAN.

AEROPLANE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 18,1913.

Application filed July 2, 1910. Serial No. 570,134.

To all whom it may concern:

lie it known that I. \VALTER L. Mann, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, residing at Flint, inthe county of Genesee and State ofMichigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inAeroplanes, of which the'following is a specification, reference beinghad therein to the accompanying drawings.

In the construetimi and operation of aeroplanes it is found that one ofthe chief ditliculties of controlling lies in the fact that when thesustaining planes become tilted for any reason transversely to the lineof flight. the machine is liable to fall as there is but littleresistance afforded by the planes to this movement. Or if there bestability planes, they are so arranged that they offer as muchresistance to the movement of'the lower part of the machine as they doto the upper part so that while the sidewise movement of the machine dueto its tilting may be resisted by these planes, the machine does nottend to right itself.

This invent-ion relates to aeroplanes and to an arran ement thereofwhereby any tendency in die machine to sidewise movement due to thelateral tilting of the main planes is so resisted that the lower portionof the machine tends to swing under the uper portion as a parachutetends to right itself when falling, and thereby to cause the machine toautomatically resume a horizontal position. 7

Another feature of the invention is the provision of auxiliary balancesteering planes so disposed that either end of the machine may be raisedat will to avoid an obstacle when in flight whereby the aeroplane may beturned in its course, even if the main steering plane or rudder of themachine becomes disabled, the operator still having complete control ofthe apparatus and directing its flight without the use of the mainrudder plane.

The invention consists of the matters hereinafter set forth, and moreparticularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a view in elevation of an aeroplane thatembodies features of the invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof; Fig.3 is a view in detail of a balance steering plane.

As shown 1n the drawings as one preferred form of construction of thebi-plane type, the main frame 1, preferably rhomboidal in figure, isformed of suitable materials 1n proportion to combine the necessarystrength with lightness. The frame is sup-V ported when on the ground inthe usual manner on a wheel truck 2. The main frame is disposedlongitudinally to the line of llight of the machine and has suitablelateral extensions 3.

A pair of main planes 4 are supported by the frame and extensions andare preferably secured in sections to the frame work, being inclined tothe line of light of the machine at the proper sustaining angle. 7

Forward lifting planes 5 preferably disposed in parallel horizontalpairs, are pivotally secured at the forward end of the frame with atilting bar 6 or other suitable controlling mechanism extending back tothe operators station at the middle of the main body whereby their angleof incidence to the line of flight may be varied as desired.

A rear balance plane 7 is secured at the proper angle to the rear end ofthe main frame and a main rudder plane 8 that is split to lear thebalance plane is pivotally secured to the frame to swing transversely tothe line of flight through suitable controlling mechanism of anypreferred type extending forward to the operators station.

A. balance steering plane 9 is pivotally mounted on each extension ofthe main frame preferably adjacent to and between the outer sections ofthe main planes. In preferred form, each consists of a rudder member 10pivoted at its forward edge to swing on an axis substantiallyperpendicular to the sustaining or main planes and a balance membersplit to embrace the rudder plane and pivoted at its forward edge toswing on an axis that intersects the secondary rudder axis at rightangles thereto. As herein shown the members swing together on the rudderaxis while the balance memher is free to be tilted on its own axisindependent of theangular position of the rudder member relative to theline of [light of the machine. if the rudder axis is at the forwardnun-gin of the main plane. the front edge of the balance plane isslightly curved so that it does not project beyond the main planes whenswung with the rudder. The balance plane need not swing in which caseproper provision is made to afford movement of the rudder plane. Themembers are controlled separately through suitable connections runningto the operators station where levers, handles or other devices whichmay be of any preferred type and arej chine is well below the upper mainplane and preterablyis also below thelower main plane. At each end ofthe lateral extensions of the main frame, stability planes 14: are.

secured to the upright members of the frame, substantially perpendicularto the "under face ofthe upper main plane. C ne or more of these planesis placed at each endoi" the machine with its lower margin at aconsiderable distance above the upper face of the lower main plane andabove the center of gravity of the machine. Preferably the stabilityplanes are disposed in pairs on either side of the auxiliary balancesteering planes, as indicated herein. By this arrangement of the balancesteering planes, the operator may tilt them toaugmcnt the lifting powerof the main planes or to oil'- set their effect dependent on the anglehe gives the balance members. if he wishes to cause either end of themachine to momentarily rise or fall he accomplishes this by depressingor raising the rear edge ot'the' balance member at that end. Theauxiliary planes are preferably pivotally secured to the main frame atas proximately the same'distance from its center as the main steeringplane, and by defiection of the auxiliary rudder members, the machine ismade to swing on one end as on a pivot- If any one of the steeringplanes, either auxiliary or main, become disabled, the operator cancontrol the direction of his flight by proper manipulation of the othertwo. By simultaneously deflecting the steering planes and depressing theouter balance plane, the outer end of the machine as it wheels, tends torise, thereby overcoming its inertia which would otherwise rock it theother way.

Another feature is the self-righting character oi the machine due to theposition of u the stability planes. It for any reason the main planesare tilted laterally, the stability planes aiford such resistance to theair as to prevent the sidewise movement of the ma- 1 es which wouldotherwise occur and as t e center of gravity of the machine is-wellbelow the upper main plane, and as the stability planesextend only ashort distance below the upper plane, the movement of the lattersiilewise is retarded while the under' plane and the motor swing intoplace below it with he same motion as that of a loaded parachute. Thusthe machiiie tends to mainta 11 its equilibrium under ordinaryconditibns and rights itself when swervingj or decreased as the case'maybe to meet;

from a direct line of flight. Obviously the stability planes may extendabove the upper main plane it so desired. 7

The pivotal supports of the auxiliary rudders enables the operator tohold the membore in line with the path of motion of the machineifdesired,-so as to afford as little resistance as possible to its forwardmotion compatible with their lifting or sustaining effect. This reducesthe power necessary to drive the aeroplane below that required byaeroplanes of ordinary type.

The planes may be multiplied in imnibegr fer ent requirements of serviceand the tion offthe several parts may be varied without materiallyaffecting their ellici'ency. Y

Obviously, changes in. the details of construction may be made withoutdeparting from the spiritof the invention and I do not care tolimitmyself to any-particular form or arrangement of parts.

I claim as my invention 1. In an aeroplane, a main frame disposedlongitudinallly in the line of flight of the machine, main planessecured transversely on the main frame at a fixed angle. to the line offlight, lifting planes angularly ad-i justable 'on the forward end ofthe main frame, a rear balance plane on the back end of the main frame,a main steering plane pivotally secured to the back end of the mainframe to swing in a plane transverse to the main plane, balance steeringplanes adjacent the main planes swinging on an axis perpendicular to themain planes, balance members each angularly adjustable on an axisinterseating a balance steering plane axis, and stability planesperpendicular to the main planes parallel to the line of flight adjacentto the upper main plane.

2. In an aeroplane, a main frame disposed longitudinally in the line offlight of the machine, main planes secured transversely on the mainframe at a fixed angle to the line of flight, lifting planes singularlyadjustable on the forward end of the main frame, a rear balance plane onthe back end of the main frame, a main steering plane pivotally securedto the back end of the main frame to swing in a plane transverse .to themain plane, balance steering planes adjacent the main planes, eachpivoted to swing on anaxis substantially perpendicular to'the mainplanes and provided with a balance member angularly adjustable on anaxis intersecting: the steering plane axis, and stability planessubstantially perpendicular to the main plane secured parallel to theline of flight adjacent to the upper main plane and at an interval fromthe lower main plane. I

3. In an aeroplane, a main frame disposed longitudinally in the line offlight of the machine, lateral extensions therefrom, main planes securedon the main frame and extensions at a fixed angle to the line of flight,forward lifting planes angular-1y adjnstahle on the main frame a rearhalam'e plane on the ba k end e-t' the main frame, a main steering planepivetally serured to the l aelc end of the main frame to swing in aplane transverse tn the main planes and divided to embrace the rearbalance plane. halance steering planes each pivtnallv secured near theextremities of the main plane to swing on an axis at right angleatherete and previded with a halanee member tiltahle on an axig atrightangles to said lllvwl axis. and means for n'ianipulat-itng theseveral steering and balance planes independently.

:1. 1n anaereplane, a main frame disposed longitudinally in the line offlight 01' the machine. lateral extensiens tlteret.mn main planessecured on the main frame and extensio-ns at a fixed angle to the lineof flight, forward li'l'tinn' planes angularly adjustable 0n the mainframe, a rear balance plane on the back end of the main frame, a mainsteering plane pivotally secured to the baelt end of the main frame toswing: in a plane. transverse to the main plane and divided to embracethe rear balanee plane, stability planes Substantially perpendicular tnthe main planes seeured parallel to the line (Fl light adjarent to theupper main plane and at an interval from the lower main plnntn balancesteering plant-H eat-h pivetally eured near the extremities of the mainplane in swing on an axis at right; anglesthereto and provided with abalance member till'able en an axis at right angles to said first ax andmeans i'nr manipulating the several steering and balance planesindependently.

Witnesses U'r'rn l. .lLurrnnL, Anna lt'l. Donn.

